Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)

Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)Directed By: Paris Barclay

The PrologueThe year was 1996 and among other things, one of my favorite things to do was watch The Wayans Brothers on the WB. Now of course I am talking about Shawn and Marlon, I always thought they were the best of the zillion Wayans kids. But getting back on point, the brothers wrote a parody that would exceed all expectations. A parody of all the “hood” movies that had came before it. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, was more than just a parody and a film with a very VERY long name. It was a film that was legit funny and went on to be just as classic as some of the films it would parody. Now Echo Bridge gives us this comedy classic on bluray!!

The MovieAshtray (Shawn Wayans) is sent to the inner city to live with his father. Tray gets an education about life on the streets from his psychotic, gun-toting cousin Loc Dog (Marlon Wayans) and his friends Preach and Crazy Legs. Tray falls in love with the beautiful Dashiki, but must contend with her seven children (all with different fathers, none of whom they can identify) and her ex-boyfriend, a recently paroled convict, Toothpick. In addition, Tray learns lessons about racism from a self-hating black policeman, Korean grocery store owners, and a mysterious white killer who is an agent of “The Man”.

Boyz N the Hood, South Central, Menace II Society, Higher Learning and Juice ect. are all films that are parodied in this mid-90’s classic. The films packs foul language and some out of left field comedy bits that are sure to at least get a chuckle out of you as you watch. We have Ashtray’s father, who just so happens to be younger than he is. We got his grandma that is a pistol happy pot smoker. We have a girl who gets pregnant immediately following sex. It may all sound crazy, but it all blends together really really well and its an overall enjoyment to watch.

Now as the film tosses on the screen one crazy thing upon another you can’t really take anything too seriously, but then again you aren’t supposed to. And keeping in mind that this was from back in the days when The Wayas were at a comedic high with their writing, acting, and material, you can rest on the fact that as crazy as stuff gets it still oddly makes sense. That’s the type of stuff parody films these days lack. These days all those movies pretty much such, lack any real comedy, and are a chaotic mess. This movie is NOTHING like those, this one holds your attention, makes you laugh, and it is a bit of a lost art in it’s self.

So the movie comes, makes you laugh, and leave you with a film that (as I stated before) may be on the same level or BETTER than the movies it pokes fun at. The plot even comes with more than a few little messages that can help you with life..or perhaps not. Regardless, we got comedy gold from the 90’s that they simple don’t duplicate these days. They never even bothered with a sequel, so perhaps the fact that this is a stand alone film helps with it’s legacy that has made it surpass a lot of parodies. Some even by The Wayans themselves.

The ConclusionEcho Bridge is the PLACE TO CHECK OUT for this classic now on bluray. It’s a great film and it’s a great bluray transfer. It’s always been one of my favorites and I think if given the chance, it will be one of yours too. They just don’t make stuff like this anymore. And when I say that I mean not even The Wayans make stuff of this quality now days. Don’t miss out on your chance to own this one.